Hand finishing tool



Feb. 3, 1948. W H, ANDREWS .2,435,335

HAND FINISHING TOOL Filed July 1 9, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. s, 194s. W. H ANDREWS 2,435,335

HAND FINISHING TOOL Filed July 19, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f47'rofe/vin Patented Feb. 3, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE HAND mismo. 'rooL Willard n. Andrews, Los Angeles, calli.

Application July 19, 1946, Serial No. 684,824

l Claims.

My invention relates generally to hand polishing tools and more particularly to tools of this class which are adapted to hold elongated strips of sandpaper, emery cloth, polishing cloth, chamois and similar abrading and polishing materials. Hand tools embodying my invention nd particular use in cabinet making and nish carpentry, but are not limited to these elds of use.

In the type of work just described it is frequently desirable to sand and/or polish surfaces of tables and other furniture having intricate edge and corner designs cut therein. Such surfaces are to be found for example in moldings for picture frames, furniture, interior walls and the like. Previous operations involving the hand sanding and polishing of such surfaces required the use of a diierent special tool for each shape of surface involved. For example, in moldings having concave grooves therein it is the usual practice to provide a sanding block with a concave surface matching the contour of the groove and to stretch the abrasive material over the concave surface gluing or tacking it to the block. Such a procedure is not only wasteful of material but the preparation `of individual blocks is unnecessarily time consuming and requires that the workmen be at all times provided with a large variety of differently shaped blocks.

Tools adapted to hold abrasive materials of the class described are generally adapted to operate only on flat surfaces or in square corners. While some attempt has been made to produce universal tools which will conform to any surface, these are usually complex in nature and require the use of complicated working parts, and furthermore frequently employ thick layers of resilient materials such as sponge rubber, the use of which tends to cause the abrasive material to operate more rapidly on the convex surfaces than on the bottoms of the grooves, thus resulting in destroying the desired contours of the surface operated on.

Bearing in mind the foregoing dilculties encountered in previous devices of the class described, my invention has for its major object, the provision of a hand abrasive tool adapted to receive head portions of a large variety of shapes over which the abrasive material may be stretched thus making possible the polishing of moldings and similar surfaces of many different contours.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tool for holding elongated strips of abrasive or polishing material on rollers whereby the material may be moved back and forth from one roller 2 to the other to bring a fresh portion of the strip over the Working surface when desired.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a tool of the class described which is adapted to receive and hold an underpad of resilient material such as sponge rubber adapted to underlie the abrasive strip When desired.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a clamping means or tool of the class descri-bed which is adapted to securely hold strips of abrasive material stretched over the Working surfaces of the sanding block.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a tool of the class described which is economical to manufacture having few working parts and being assembled from sections of molding-like strips of wood or similar material.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the attached drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of sanding block embodying my invention showing a strip of abrasive material in position preparatory to being stretched thereon;

Fig. 2 is a partial elevational longitudinal sec tion of the device taken on the line 2 2 in Fig. l, and illustrating a method for holding short strips of material.

Fig. 3 is an elevational longitudinal section taken on the line 2-2 in Fig, 1, but with one of the working heads of a different shape than that shown in Fig. 1, and with a polishing strip stretched in place.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal elevational section simi lar to Fig. 2 but with a sponge rubber underpad stretched in place;

Fig. 5 is an elevational section similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modified form of clamp;

Fig. 6 is a transverse elevational section taken on the line 6--6 in Fig. 5; and

Figs. '7 to 13 inclusive show some of the variously shaped working heads that may be used in connection with the devices illustrated in Figs. 1 through 6.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the numeral 2|) throughout the drawings designates the main body of a sanding block embodying my invention, the body 2li having a number of transverse grooves cut therein for various purposes hereinafter described. Two angularly disposed and relatively narrow grooves 2l transversely disposed in the bottom surface of the body 20 serve as an anchoring means for one end of short sections of abrasive material, the method of anchoring being illustrated in Fig, 2 and described later herein. Across the front and back ends of the block are two grooves 22 adapted to receive the tongue of any one of a num-ber of variously shaped working heads, for example the triangular and semi-circular heads 23 and 24 respectively shown in place in the device illustrated in Fig. 1.

Across the top of the body 20 are two parallel transversely disposed semi-circular grooves `25 adapted toform lowerfseats for a pair of slotted rollers 26. As can be best seen in Fig. 6, each of the rollers 26 is provided with a handle portionf 21 projecting laterally beyond the side of the body 20. One of the rollers 26 has its handleproieet-v ing to the left and the other to the 4right wherebyY one of the handles 21 may be grasped in each hand for manipulation as hereinafterdescribedY Y cured to strips of cloth, paper, leather or similar material and stretched in place as illustrated ,infFg.- 3 wherein a felt pad 36 is shown glued to a strip of" material corresponding to the abrasivestrip 2'9'5. Vshown in Fig. 1.

As previously mentioned each of the. rollersfr. 2'3 is provided with aslot 28 which serves to anchor. one end of a, strip ofabrasive material. After' the-strip has been ins crt/ed"Y as' illustrated in Fig. 3 lrotationv o'f ther'o'ller 25' YSeri/estoV Wind the material 2`9'th`ere'on. y In thi's'manner, various lengths ofy material' cari be used, the excess lengths being woundup' o`n onevortheother'of the two rollers 26. As the materiallwe'ars out, particularly overV the sharp" edges" of the Working' heads23 and 24; a freshsupply may be broughtv into pla'c'e leyfY simultaneously rotating both ofthe rollers, supplying rriat'erial 2,94 from one and taking it up on the other.

It isdesirable of course that' the material 29 be tightly stretched over the working surfaces during the-operation ofthe device. Tofthis end a clamping cap 3| is providedlh'avingi two transverse semi-circular grooves 32- therein adapted to seat over the rollers 26; A clampingv screw 33 with a knurled head is provided and passes through the cap 3l Vand` is threadedinto Ythe body 20. Tightening of: the screw 3'3'draws down on the cap 3| and prevents rotation oit the rollers 26. Any degree of tensionin the material`l29A as may be desired can be achieved by. holding one of the rollers 26 and'twistingtheotherprior t'o:

tightening the screw 33l Inror'der tomaintain a minimum amount of tension o`i1- the cap 3|, such as to prevent the material'29 from unwinding of its own resilience, While it is being.shifted,

a coil spring 34 is placed 'around` the screw 33l immediately under its head, thu s urging/the cap 3| downwardly at alltimes; even whenthescrew 33 is loosened forl the purpose kof-shi'ting the material 29' or replacing the same. i

As can be seen inllig. lA the'- cap 32| is` shaped and positionedtofform a convenient handlefor grasping and manipulating the-polishingtool.

To further adapt the devicefto: beheld the hand, the cap- 3lis recessed as indicated bythe numeral 55 thus providing-spacefor tha-head ofthe clamping screwI and present-ing arelatvely ilat surfaceV for theA hand..` y

As illustrated; in Fig. 2-r one- BhdJ 0f? aff short remnant strip of abrasive materialfmaybe-folde'd over and inserted in the slot 2ll,-the;otherend is then r passed f over the 'working head 2-3 'inserted inv the roller and' tightenedas* before.` This: pr'ocedurecan1 also be used! to advantage4 tofkus'e rolled material to its bitter e'nd thusfravoiding Waste. .i t

WorkingA heads'V othe shapeA designated by tlie numerals 23,. 24, are1 shown' in Figs. 'T 't`o113'1 inclusive and' may' be inserted' inthe' device by slidingv the tonguef 35y into the-i groove 22; All

working heads'- are,Y interchangeable" "andi p tl'i'el` For some types of Work it may be desirable to 'provide the abrasive material 29 with an underlying pad of softV rubber. For this purpose two transverse andr'elativelyfnarrow slots 38 are provided`v in the uppersurface of the b'o`dy26 and serve toanchor suchr an underpad 39 (see Fig; 4)`. The pad'39'f1is provided at each ofj'its endfswith ani L-shapedA clip 4-`i crimped; thereto.V Clip' 4"I isadapted to press snugly'intotheslot 38" and ther length of the pad 39' is such'tliat there is' a slight tension' therein with' two workingv heads in place; Y I prefer. to construct' alloi the' workingl heads withA the' same peripheral length of cross-section whereby theyl are' completely intk-.rcl:a'ngeable;l and the rubber pad' 39 will have the same tensiontherein' regardless Voivr the heads or combination of heads used;V

yIn order to preventthe rollers` 2 6" from slippingendwis'efro'm'ithe devicewhe'n the" clamping screw 23 is los'eneda' wire clip"42isprbvidedat each side of the'lo'o'dy 20beingsecureditliereto by a screw lilasv best' seen in'Y Fig. 6. The clip 42 passes around" both of the rollers, 26. annular grooves 44 b'ein'g' formed in' the" lattermto' receive the clip. v v

In some applicationsit may'bedes'iable to-provide a tool of the class descliledadapted to use abrasive material 'su,pplieclj iri rolls; Such an adaptation" is; illustrated ini '51 wherein it will be seen that'v a singlefrller 26`is used.. supply rolls of abrasi mat'e'rialbe'inglocated inA the Cylindrical' s e fior edby the groove. 251m th'ebOdy/.Mid g .OVE/.f 321.` iii the 03111.31'. Irl Order to, segur@- the suppiytvend 'of' the 'abrasive mater rial ,29; the cap' V3 Ig .is formed'l'with a` depending refafr"portionl 4.6 wh'il-Wilflen-the clamping screw se isY tightened pressesdowmvaimi1y-y onthe material v29 Y clamping it?, against-.fthe top' surface of ai@ body. 2a.", i

oneVy ci. thev shapes-.oi- Worlrine headefrequen'tlv required for( cabinet and i,iriishd'f carpentryv work is acylinder whichffmayfbe 'of-.any of ai wide varietyA of` diameters.; Irlorder, tcfprovide'fY for cylindrical heads of various diameters IAv have provided-the arrangement sho'Wrifin Fig. 131. '-*his arrangement makfes 'use of common dewelingll 46 with a Vfshaped notchsiformedzamng dii-ef side thereof. A.: section: of dowelingis thus-2 n'o'tched is placed` overfthe pointedf endToff-th'e 'triangular working; headzii ian'dfthel material' 29 passed over'bothfthefdoweling -andliead holdfirfgthemiin place'fa's previoi1s1y-'described5l A The forms of working heads illustratedj'iii'lgs. 'ItoY iefinustrateeniyfaifevfdrthepessible shapes anaitisiobvibusgtiiattiieuse'ofdeviees 'embodying myrmven'tenii notjimiterr? teftiieisiiapes When using heads with concave working surfaces such as those illustrated in Figs. 9 and 12 the material 29 is left somewhat looser than when using convex heads. Thus when working pressure is applied, the material will be pressed down into the concave head conforming to the surface thereof.

One of the principal advantages of the device shown and described herein is that it can be constructed from sections of molding-like strips of wood or similar material. The body 20, the working heads, the rollers 26, and the clamping cap 3| or 3|' can all be cut from long strips of this sort and require relatively few additional fabrication operations. An additional advantage to be gained by constructing a block in this manner is that sanding tools of different Widths may be constructed using differing lengths of section cut from the same molding-like stock.

While the device shown and described herein is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is subject to considerable modification and I do not mean to be limited to the form shown herein but rather to the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a hand tool of the class described comprising in combination: a plurality of rollers having means therein adapted to secure the end of a strip of abrasive material; a work engaging member of generally prismatic shape, a portion of the cross-sectioned contour of which is shaped to correspond to the cross-sectional contour of a Work piece being polished; a body member having groove means therein adapted to receive said rollers; tongue-and-groove means in said body and said working member for effecting interlocking engagement between them; a strip of abrasive material having each of its ends secured to one of said rollers and being passed around said working members and said body whereby rotation of said rollers tensions said abrasive material and holds said working members in secure engagement with said body member; and clamping means operatively engaged with said body member and adapted to frictionally engage said rollers to immobilely secure the same With said tension in said abrasive material.

2. In a hand tool of the class described adapted to abrasively polish contoured surfaces of a work piece, the combination of: a pair of rollers having longitudinal grooves therein adapted to receive and secure ends of a strip of abrasive material; a plurality of generally prism-shaped working members each having a tongue on one side thereof and having the surface generally opposite said tongue contoured correspondingly to said work piece, whereby said working member is adapted to back up the strip of abrasive material and hold the same in intimate contact witn said work piece; a body member having a pair of semicircular transverse grooves therein adapted to receive said rollers for rotation therein, said body having other transverse grooves therein adapted to receive said working member tongues for removable interlocking engagement with said body; an elongated strip of abrasive material adapted to be wrapped longitudinally around said body when said working members are in place, to have its ends secured in said roller grooves, whereby to be tensioned by rotation of the same and to secure said working members in said interlocking engagement with said body; and operable clamping means operatively engaged with said body and adapted to clamp said rollers when said strip ends are secured therein and urge said rollers into said semi-circular grooves to prevent rotation thereof.

3. In a hand tool for holding and backing up elongated strips of polishing material'wrapped therearound, the combination of a generally fiat body block with roller receiving means formed therein; a pair of longitudinally slotted rollers each adapted to rest for controlled rotation in said roller receiving means and to wind a length of said strip thereon; a plurality of means in said body each adapted to receive a working head of any one of various selected cross-sectional shapes whereby to back up said polishing material when wrapped around said body, and adapt the same selectively to operate on variously shaped surfaces; and clamping means adapted and positioned to frictionally engage said polishing material wound on said rollers whereby to hold said material wrapped around said body.

4. In a hand tool of the class described for holding and backing up strips of abrasive material, the combination of: a body block adapted to back up a strip of abrasive material wrapped therearound; a pair of rollers transversely mounted in the top of said block each having means adapted to receive and secure an end of said strip when wrapped around said block, said rollers being mounted for rotation whereby to wind said strip thereon and tension the same; a clamping block mounted adjacent the top of said body block and adapted to selectively clamp said rollers against said body block whereby to immobilize the same and maintain said tension; .and a plurality of working heads removably mounted on said body block, each contoured to conform to shaped work surfaces whereby said working heads are adapted to back up said strip and adapt the same to operate on said work surfaces.

5. In a hand tool of the class described for holding and backing up strips of abrasive material, the combination of: a body block adapted to back up a strip of abrasive material wrapped therearound; means in said block to receive a roll of said material with a. length thereof Wrapped around said block; means mounted in said block to tension said length; clamping means operably engaged with said block, frictionally engaged with said material, and adapted to hold said length in said tensioned condition; and means in said block adapted to receive working members of various selected shapes, said working members being adapted and positioned to back up portions of said abrasive materials and adapt the same selectively to operate on work pieces of various shapes.

6. In a hand tool for holding and backing up elongated strips of polishing material Wrapped therearound, the combination of: a generally at body block with means formed therein adapted to receive a roller and a supply roll of said polishing material with a. length thereof wrapped around said block; a longitudinally slotted roller adapted to rest for controlled rotation in said roller receiving means and to wind a portion of said length thereon; a plurality of means in said 'Z ends of4 'saidlengthiwrapped t .around said .body whereby to holdv'said wrappedzlenethinv-atension against said body.

7; Inla handitooli of the; class described-'comprisingfin' combination: aI` roller havingv means thereinV adapted; to receive the i end of' aast-rip of abrasive-'materiah a workY engaging memberV of generallyprismatic'shape; a portion ofthezcross'- sectioned' contour ofv which shaped tocorrespond" tol the cross-sectional contour` ofV a: work piece *being polished; a body member having groove: meansA therein adapted to?r receiver' said roller .andl a` supply'rollzof ,said material; tongueand-gr'oove'means in said"` body and said'wor-king member; for'effecting'interlockingiengagement between: them; a supply roll'of1 abrasive-materal positioned' in said' groove kmeans'r4 andv having; a terminal .length thereof passed around isaidworking members andpbody; with the` endz thereof se;- ouredtosaid-roller whereby rotation .of said :roller tensions said abrasiveA material andi holds said workingmembers insecure engagementfwiths'aid body member; and clamping means' operatively engaged with saidzbodymember. and adapted to frictionally. engage `said abrasive material -and 'said roller to immobilely securev the z samev with: said tensionlin said abrasive materiali 8; Invia hand tool'of theclass deseribedzc'om prisih'ginroombination: a plurality1 of rollers-havingl means-therein adapted to seouratheiend of ay stripr of abrasive material; ,av work engaging member of generallyy prisrnatio` shape; a portion ofthe cross-sectioned contour of-:whicheis shaped t'o correspond to Ithe cross-sectional contour of a worlkipie'ce beingpo'lished; a body member having groove means therein adapted` to receive said rollers;` t'o'n'gue-and-groovez means' in said' body andi said'wo'rking member f or eff ectingfV interlockin'genga'gement between them a stripaof'abrasive material having each of its ends seoured'torone ofsaid rollers and' being passed around said working members and said'bodyrv whereby; ro'ta'f tion of said rollers-'tensions said` abrasive-amate; rial and holds' said working members insecure engagement with' said' bodyV member; clamping means operatively- 'engaged witfhrsaidf bodymember and adapt'edto frictionallyfenga'ge said=rollers to i'mmobilelyV secure the same'withzsaidtension in said abrasive material; andl affspringlmember in said clampingY means adapted to maintair'r` a predetermined minimum pressure' off said? fric..

tion engagement such asto permitmovementof saidabrasive A,material-in response to rotation of saidiroller: but-to preventmnwindinaof said-mafV materialvwhereby toholdlthefsamein saidtenf sioned'condition;zandrmeans insaid block-adapted tofreceivef working` members4 of` various selected shapes,` said working-'1membersbeing-` adapted-and positionedftherebyf to backv up portions of said abrasive material and adapt-the same selectively to operate.1onf .workspieces'f ofvarious shapes 10. In a hand` toolofthe class described` for holding; and backingup strips ofabrasive Ymaterial; the :combination-of: ablock` adapted to rback upastrip of abrasivematerialwrapped therearound; means mounted insaidblock to tension saidfstr-ipf; clamping-means operably engaged with said bloeleandfadapted to -frictionallyfengagefsaid abrasive material whereby to hold the` same-in said` tensionedcondition; means insaid block adapted to. receive.wr Working membersof various selected shapes;` a member-engaged withl said block* having` an outwardlyfproj ecting..v tongue positionedtounderlie 'saidfa'brasive material; a-plu rality 'off longitudinally grooved cylindrical` ,Working: members. each adaptedfto selectively rest. with saidgrooveover said-tongue andto-back upfsaid labrasive material.and; adapt the same to operate onzsemtl ciroularlyt groovedlwork pieces. Y

WILLARD I-I. v ANDREWS.

niet*ERENoiss;orren-v The followingl references are of' record in i the lel of'- thispatentf:

NI'IU STATES PATENTS 

